8 CHL Grads Win Kelly Cup ECHL Championship with South Carolina Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays captured the Kelly Cup as Champions of the East Coast Hockey League Friday night when they defeated the Alaska Aces 4-2 in game seven to clinch the franchise’s third championship in front of 6,610 people at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska.
Eight CHL grads hoisted the cup including Head Coach and General Manager Jared Bednar who played three seasons in the WHL from 1990-93 with four different teams including the Saskatoon Blades, Spokane Chiefs, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Prince Albert Raiders.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Head Coach Jared Bednar. “I am so proud of these guys for buying in 100% and laying it all on the line.”
Assistant coach Cail MacLean is also a CHL graduate having played four seasons with the Kingston Frontenacs from 1993-97.
CHL products played a big role in the final game which started with a late first period goal by former Quebec Remparts’ forward Maxime Lacroix to put the Rays on the board. The goal was his 13th of the post-season to lead the ECHL, scoring on his 22nd birthday.
Goaltender James Reimer, a former Red Deer Rebel (2005-08), was named first star of the game and playoff MVP making 26 saves in the final contest.
The South Carolina Stingrays play in the American Conference of the ECHL and are affiliated with the NHL’s Washington Capitals. They defeated the defending champion Alaska Aces of the National Conference who are affiliated with the St. Louis Blues. The Aces lineup also featured eight CHL graduates including head coach Keith McCambridge who played with Swift Current and Kamloops from 1991-95.
South Carolina Stingrays CHL Grads:
Head Coach Jared Bednar, Saskatoon/Spokane/Medicine Hat/Prince Albert (1990-93)
Assistant Coach Cail MacLean, Kingston (1993-97)
Maxime Lacroix, Quebec (2004-08)
Michael Dubuc, PEI/Rouyn-Noranda (2004-08)
Josh Godfrey, Guelph/Sault Ste. Marie (2004-08)
Nate Kiser, Plymouth (1999-03)
Patrick Wellar, Portland/Calgary (2000-04)
James Reimer, Red Deer (2005-08)
Jonathan Boutin, Halifax/PEI/Quebec (2001-05)
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Alaska Aces CHL Grads:
Head Coach Keith McCambridge, Swift Current/Kamloops (1991-95)
Alexandre Imbeault, Quebec/Victoriaville/Chicoutimi (2003-07)
Scott Burt, Seattle/Swift Current/Edmonton/Red Deer (1994-98)
Lance Galbraith, Ottawa (1996-01)
Nick Tuzzolino, Sarnia/Sudbury (2004-07)
Jordan Foreman, London/Niagara (2003-08)
Derick Martin, Hull (1999-02)
T.J Fast, Tri-City (2006-08)
Photo and files from www.echl.com, www.stingrayshockey.com, and www.alaskaaces.com